Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: triconch

Groß St. Martin (Great Saint Martin) was founded on remnants of a Roman chapel, built on what was then an island in the Rhine. A local legend tells, that it was founded by missionaries Plechelmus and Viro and funded by Pepin of Herstal and his wife Plektrudis. But scholars have turned that down. It it undisputed, that Cologn Bishop Brun (925-965) founded a chapter of canons here and bestowed relics of St. Eliphius to the church of St. Martin. Under Archbishop Eveger the canons were replaced by iroscottish Benedictians The current building with the soaring crossing tower was erected, after a fire, between 1150-1250. The architecture of its eastern end forms a triconch or trefoil plan, consisting of three apses around the crossing. This part was already consecrated in 1172. When the French occupied Cologne the secularization started. The monastery was disbanded in 1802 and the last monks had to leave, Groß St. Martin became a parish church. First reataurations started mid of the 19th century. Groß St. Martin was badly damaged by aerial bombing during WWII. The first ever 1,000 bomber raid by the RAF (codenamed "Operation Millenium") was conducted on Cologne in May 1942. That day the tower and nave of the church were burnt to the ground. The sacristy building and north apse were also destroyed. In the following year a chapel on the northern side was destroyed and in January 1945 the triforiums of all three apses were destroyed. At the end of the war almost 95% of the buildings in the old city were destroay or badly damaged. There was a controverial discussion after the war, what to do with the ruined church, as many prefered to leave it as a ruined memorial to the war. But in the end it was decided to rebuild Groß St. Martin. This startet in 1955 and took 40 years. The church was reopened in 1985. As of 2009 Groß St. Martin is being used by a branch of the Monastic Fraternities of Jerusalem. Gr0ßs St. Martin to the left - the Cathedral to the right.

Groß St. Martin (Great Saint Martin) was founded on remnants of a Roman chapel, built on what was then an island in the Rhine. A local legend tells, that it was founded by missionaries Plechelmus and Viro and funded by Pepin of Herstal and his wife Plektrudis. But scholars have turned that down. It it undisputed, that Cologn Bishop Brun (925-965) founded a chapter of canons here and bestowed relics of St. Eliphius to the church of St. Martin. Under Archbishop Eveger the canons were replaced by iroscottish Benedictians The current building with the soaring crossing tower was erected, after a fire, between 1150-1250. The architecture of its eastern end forms a triconch or trefoil plan, consisting of three apses around the crossing. This part was already consecrated in 1172. When the French occupied Cologne the secularization started. The monastery was disbanded in 1802 and the last monks had to leave, Groß St. Martin became a parish church. First reataurations started mid of the 19th century. Groß St. Martin was badly damaged by aerial bombing during WWII. The first ever 1,000 bomber raid by the RAF (codenamed "Operation Millenium") was conducted on Cologne in May 1942. That day the tower and nave of the church were burnt to the ground. The sacristy building and north apse were also destroyed. In the following year a chapel on the northern side was destroyed and in January 1945 the triforiums of all three apses were destroyed. At the end of the war almost 95% of the buildings in the old city were destroay or badly damaged. There was a controverial discussion after the war, what to do with the ruined church, as many prefered to leave it as a ruined memorial to the war. But in the end it was decided to rebuild Groß St. Martin. This startet in 1955 and took 40 years. The church was reopened in 1985. Seen here is the nave. The stairs (left) lead down to the crypt. As of 2009 Groß St. Martin is being used by a branch of the Monastic Fraternities of Jerusalem.

Groß St. Martin (Great Saint Martin) was founded on remnants of a Roman chapel, built on what was then an island in the Rhine. A local legend tells, that it was founded by missionaries Plechelmus and Viro and funded by Pepin of Herstal and his wife Plektrudis. But scholars have turned that down. It it undisputed, that Cologn Bishop Brun (925-965) founded a chapter of canons here and bestowed relics of St. Eliphius to the church of St. Martin. Under Archbishop Eveger the canons were replaced by iroscottish Benedictians The current building with the soaring crossing tower was erected, after a fire, between 1150-1250. The architecture of its eastern end forms a triconch or trefoil plan, consisting of three apses around the crossing. This part was already consecrated in 1172. When the French occupied Cologne the secularization started. The monastery was disbanded in 1802 and the last monks had to leave, Groß St. Martin became a parish church. First reataurations started mid of the 19th century. Groß St. Martin was badly damaged by aerial bombing during WWII. The first ever 1,000 bomber raid by the RAF (codenamed "Operation Millenium") was conducted on Cologne in May 1942. That day the tower and nave of the church were burnt to the ground. The sacristy building and north apse were also destroyed. In the following year a chapel on the northern side was destroyed and in January 1945 the triforiums of all three apses were destroyed. At the end of the war almost 95% of the buildings in the old city were destroay or badly damaged. There was a controverial discussion after the war, what to do with the ruined church, as many prefered to leave it as a ruined memorial to the war. But in the end it was decided to rebuild Groß St. Martin. This startet in 1955 and took 40 years. The church was reopened in 1985. As of 2009 Groß St. Martin is being used by a branch of the Monastic Fraternities of Jerusalem.

A settlement developed around a Roman miltary camp, built up 16BC and named "Novaesium". Where the church is now was a Roman graveyard in the early times. When the Normans raided Neuss in 866 a convent existed already in Neuss. A church is mentioned here in 1043, legends tell, that Abbess Gepa, the sister of Pope Leo IX, brought the relics of Saint Quirinus (now "Saint Quirinus of Neuss") a 2nd century-martyr, from Rome to Neuss, what brought pilgrims to the growing town. The monastery, now under the patronage of Saint Quirinus, was a house of noble canonesses mid 12th century. The construction of today´s church started in 1209 in late Romanesque style. There was clear influence from nearby Cologne, as just like the older St. Maria im Kapitol ("St. Mary in the Capitol") this church has a trefoil choir ("triconchos"). The church was completed already in 1230 - and then the tower grew up to nearly 100 metres. In 1741, the church was badly damaged by lightning and The gothic helmets of the west and east towers over the crossing. Instead, the building got a Baroque dome with the statue of Quirinus and a flat pyramid roof on the main tower. After the French Revolution the church goot looted and then served as a storage room. The monastery buildings were demolished at that time. In 1944 the church got damaged by a bomb attack. Meanwhile the building is in good condition. The golden shrine holding the relics of Saint Quirinus was created in the 19th century. It replaced one, that mow is kept in the museum. Since 2009 the Quirinus-Münster is a "Basilica minor". The symbol for this honor is the umbraculum, the umbrella behind the shrine.

A settlement developed around a Roman miltary camp, built up 16BC and named "Novaesium". Where the church is now was a Roman graveyard in the early times. When the Normans raided Neuss in 866 a convent existed already in Neuss. A church is mentioned here in 1043, legends tell, that Abbess Gepa, the sister of Pope Leo IX, brought the relics of Saint Quirinus (now "Saint Quirinus of Neuss") a 2nd century-martyr, from Rome to Neuss, what brought pilgrims to the growing town. The monastery, now under the patronage of Saint Quirinus, was a house of noble canonesses mid 12th century. The construction of today´s church started in 1209 in late Romanesque style. There was clear influence from nearby Cologne, as just like the older St. Maria im Kapitol ("St. Mary in the Capitol") this church has a trefoil choir ("triconchos"). The church was completed already in 1230 - and then the tower grew up to nearly 100 metres. In 1741, the church was badly damaged by lightning and The gothic helmets of the west and east towers over the crossing. Instead, the building got a Baroque dome with the statue of Quirinus and a flat pyramid roof on the main tower. After the French Revolution the church goot looted and then served as a storage room. The monastery buildings were demolished at that time. In 1944 the church got damaged by a bomb attack. Meanwhile the building is in good condition. Standing in the nave, facing east. In the center of the choir is the golden shrine holding the relics of Saint Quirinus.

A settlement developed around a Roman miltary camp, built up 16BC and named "Novaesium". Where the church is now was a Roman graveyard in the early times. When the Normans raided Neuss in 866 a convent existed already in Neuss. A church is mentioned here in 1043, legends tell, that Abbess Gepa, the sister of Pope Leo IX, brought the relics of Saint Quirinus (now "Saint Quirinus of Neuss") a 2nd century-martyr, from Rome to Neuss, what brought pilgrims to the growing town. The monastery, now under the patronage of Saint Quirinus, was a house of noble canonesses mid 12th century. The construction of today´s church started in 1209 in late Romanesque style. There was clear influence from nearby Cologne, as just like the older St. Maria im Kapitol ("St. Mary in the Capitol") this church has a trefoil choir ("triconchos"). The church was completed already in 1230 - and then the tower grew up to nearly 100 metres. In 1741, the church was badly damaged by lightning and The gothic helmets of the west and east towers over the crossing. Instead, the building got a Baroque dome with the statue of Quirinus and a flat pyramid roof on the main tower. After the French Revolution the church goot looted and then served as a storage room. The monastery buildings were demolished at that time. In 1944 the church got damaged by a bomb attack. Meanwhile the building is in good condition. Here are two (of the three) conches of the choir.

Many churches, chapels and abbeys all over continental Europe claim to be founded by Charlemagne. Saint John Abbey in the village of Müstair (= monasterium) is - most likely - founded in deed by Charlemagne or a bishop under Charles´ order around 774. At that time Charlemagne fought war against the Langobards in Northern Italy and needed save and secure passes over the Alps for his army. Fortified monasteries played an important role in this strategy. Dendrochronological surveys found out, that some of the beams used for the construction cut around 775, what is, when Charlemagne´s soldiers conquered the Lombardy. The "Benediktinerinnenkloster St. Johann", today still a Benedictine nunnery, is since 1983 a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This was my third visit to Müstair in recent years, so I will only upload a few of the fotos I took. In case you are interested, you will find more in my "Switzerland-album". - Seen her is the Carolingian "Heiligkreuzkapelle" ("Chapel of the Holy Cross"), dated ~ 775, is a very early triconch structure. This chapel is even older than "Germigny-des-Prés" with a similar blueprint. It has two floors and is - since years- closed to the public, as the restoration is still going on. Other (larger) triconch structures are St. Maria im Kapitol (1065), Aposteln (1200) and Groß St. Martin (1200), all in Cologne. Here is more info about the chapel: www.muestair.ch/en/convent/history-research/highlights-in...

The chapel St. Vigilius im Anger is surrounded by apple orchards - and not easy to find. St. Vigilius im Anger is just like the Heiligkreuz-Kapelle in Müstair (40 kms west) an early triconch structure. The chapel in Müstair is dated via dendrochronological surveys to 775. It is claimed in Mortar, that St. Vigilius im Anger (once as well dedicated to St. Blasius) is even older, what I doubt. It is probably "pre-Romanesque". An inscription inside says, that the chapel was consecrated in 1080 by Bishop of Trient (Trento). - The chapel was locked of course..

Many churches, chapels and abbeys all over continental Europe claim to be founded by Charlemagne. Saint John Abbey in the village of Müstair (= monasterium) is - most likely - founded in deed by Charlemagne or a bishop under Charles´ order around 774. At that time Charlemagne fought war against the Langobards in Northern Italy and needed save and secure passes over the Alps for his army. Fortified monasteries played an important role in this strategy. Dendrochronological surveys found out, that some of the beams used for the construction cut around 775, what is, when Charlemagne´s soldiers conquered the Lombardy. The "Benediktinerinnenkloster St. Johann", today still a Benedictine nunnery, is since 1983 a UNESCO World Heritage Site. - The Carolingian "Heiligkreuzkapelle" ("Chapel of the Holy Cross"), dated ~775, is a very early triconch structure. This chapel is even older than "Germigny-des-Prés" with a similar blueprint. It has two floors and is - since years- closed to the public, as the restoration is still going on. Here is more info about the chapel: www.muestair.ch/en/convent/history-research/highlights-in.. .

Many churches, chapels and abbeys all over continental Europe claim to be founded by Charlemagne. Saint John Abbey in the village of Müstair (= monasterium) is - most likely - founded in deed by Charlemagne or a bishop under Charles´ order around 774. At that time Charlemagne fought war against the Langobards in Northern Italy and needed save and secure passes over the Alps for his army. Fortified monasteries played an important role in this strategy. Dendrochronological surveys found out, that some of the beams used for the construction cut around 775, what is, when Charlemagne´s soldiers conquered the Lombardy. The "Benediktinerinnenkloster St. Johann", today still a Benedictine nunnery, is since 1983 a UNESCO World Heritage Site. - The Carolingian "Heiligkreuzkapelle" ("Chapel of the Holy Cross"), dated ~775, is a very early triconch structure. This chapel is even older than "Germigny-des-Prés" with a similar blueprint. It has two floors and is - since years- closed to the public, as the restoration is still going on. Here is more info about the chapel: www.muestair.ch/en/convent/history-research/highlights-in.. .

Many churches, chapels and abbeys all over continental Europe claim to be founded by Charlemagne. Saint John Abbey in the village of Müstair (= monasterium) is - most likely - founded in deed by Charlemagne or a bishop under Charles´ order around 774. At that time Charlemagne fought war against the Langobards in Northern Italy and needed save and secure passes over the Alps for his army. Fortified monasteries played an important role in this strategy. Dendrochronological surveys found out, that some of the beams used for the construction cut around 775, what is, when Charlemagne´s soldiers conquered the Lombardy. The "Benediktinerinnenkloster St. Johann", today still a Benedictine nunnery, is since 1983 a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is how St. Johann looks in summer (for "early spring" see previous upload). The Carolingian "Heiligkreuzkapelle" ("Chapel of the Holy Cross"), is hidden behind the tree.

Many churches, chapels and abbeys all over continental Europe claim to be founded by Charlemagne. Saint John Abbey in the village of Müstair (= monasterium) is - most likely - founded in deed by Charlemagne or a bishop under Charles´ order around 774. At that time Charlemagne fought war against the Langobards in Northern Italy and needed save and secure passes over the Alps for his army. Fortified monasteries played an important role in this strategy. Dendrochronological surveys found out, that some of the beams used for the construction cut around 775, what is, when Charlemagne´s soldiers conquered the Lombardy. The "Benediktinerinnenkloster St. Johann", today still a Benedictine nunnery, is since 1983 a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is, seen from the graveyard, how St. Johann looks in early spring. To the left the Carolingian "Heiligkreuzkapelle" ("Chapel of the Holy Cross"), dated ~775, an early triconch structure. Here is more info about the chapel: www.muestair.ch/en/convent/history-research/highlights-in...